Key details of the barbaric terrorist attack in Egypt

The Egyptian military is hunting for those responsible for a deadly terrorist attack on a Sufi mosque in northern Sinai that left 235 people dead and 109 injured.

Gunmen opened fire on people fleeing after several explosions at the al Rawdah mosque, CNN reported, and even shot at an ambulance before security forces arrived.

Victims of the attack lie scattered in the church. Photo: EPA

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has vowed to respond to the terrorists. However, no group or individual has claimed responsibility. Authorities say the incident bears the hallmarks of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

The al Rawdah Mosque is famous for being the birthplace of the Sufi cleric Sheikh Eid al-Jariri, the founder of Sufism in the Sinai Peninsula. Sufism is a branch of Islam considered heretical by ultra-orthodox believers.

Witnesses said the attackers had even set up several “ambush” points and opened fire on ambulances as they evacuated the wounded. They used automatic weapons.

National funeral

The Egyptian government declared three days of national mourning.

"We will respond to this act with devastating force against the terrorists. This terrorist act only strengthens our determination and our will to stand up and fight against terrorism," President Sisi said in a brief televised address after an emergency meeting with security officials.

President Sisi met with several senior ministers and affirmed his belief that Egypt will win the fight against terrorism.

Traces of IS

There is no information about the attackers yet.

Egyptian security forces face daily attacks from IS-linked militants who have been active in northern Sinai for years. However, attacks on churches are relatively rare in Egypt.

In October 2015, 224 people died when a bomb ripped through a Russian airliner over Sinai. The Egyptian branch of IS claimed responsibility.

World condemnation

Leaders of many countries have condemned the attack in Egypt.

President Donald Trump called it a "horrific and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless people" in Egypt, stressing that terrorism and its ideology must be destroyed.

In a message, the White House also stated that "the international community must continue to intensify efforts to eliminate terrorist groups that threaten the United States and our partners, and together we must prevent the extremist ideology that gives rise to their existence."

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed his deep sadness, writing on Twitter: "My sincerest condolences to all those affected by such a barbaric act."

British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron also took to Twitter to send their condolences to the victims, while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said his prayers were with all those affected.

On an official Jordanian royal Twitter account, King Abdullah II condemned what he called a "heinous terrorist attack".

"We will stand with the Egyptians in their fight against terrorism, and against anyone who intends to harm Egypt's national security," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "the perpetrators of today's horrific attack to be swiftly brought to justice".

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani wrote on Twitter: "Heartbroken for the victims of the cowardly massacre in Egypt. Barbaric and hateful acts in the name of God are acts against God."

According to Vietnamnet.vn